"Soul contract?"
Joy's body tensed. Goosebumps rose on her skin as she read the description. Something inside her whispered, warning her of the potential risks. She had never imagined that Lein, someone she had long admired from afar, would present something that sounded so absolute.
"Unknown?"
Her eyes lingered on the list of names marked as souls already bound to Lein. All were listed as "unknown," deepening the mystery and adding to her unease. Did this mean others were already tied to Lein before her?
"Lord Lein, is this mandatory?" Joy finally mustered the courage to ask. She tried to steady her voice, though the pounding in her chest was loud in her ears.
"Yes," Lein replied briefly, almost expressionless. He turned his gaze back to the stunning view of the valley surrounding them, as if the question were nothing more than a passing breeze.
